Understanding Entrepreneurial Behaviour of Rural Youth in Agriculture and Allied Sectors

Abstract

The study examined the entrepreneurial behaviour of 160 rural youth during 2024-25, through a cross-sectional survey design. Using Ordinary Least Squares (OLS) multiple regression analysis, assessed the influence of socioeconomic, informational, and behavioural factors on entrepreneurial tendencies. Entrepreneurial behaviour was conceptualized as a composite of innovativeness (mean = 26.87), achievement motivation (mean = 20.53), and risk orientation (mean = 21.49). The regression model explained 36.14% of the variance in entrepreneurial behavior. Age emerged as a significant negative predictor (β = –0.32, p = 0.001), indicating that younger youth were more entrepreneurial. Annual income was the strongest positive predictor (β = 1.7 × 10–5 , p < 0.001), highlighting the critical role of economic capacity. Knowledge level showed a marginally positive association (p = 0.055), while education and mass media exposure were non-significant. Notably, 73.12% of respondents exhibited medium-level entrepreneurship, suggesting substantial untapped potential. The findings underscore that rural youth entrepreneurship is fundamentally conditioned by economic resources and age-cohort effects, with implications for extension programmes and policy targeting resource constraints rather than motivation alone. Tailored interventions addressing capital access, practical skill development, and risk-reduction mechanisms are essential for converting latent entrepreneurial potential into active enterprise creation among rural youth.